Line-casting machine.



F. B: CONVERSE LINE CAS'HNG MACHINE.

APPLKCATION FILED APR. :4. mo

Patented Oct 5, 1915.

wswa 2 SHEETS SHEET I.

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FRANCIS B. CONVERSE, 0F BROOKLYN, NEEV ASSIGNOR TO MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CGRBORATION 01 NEW' YORK.

LINE-CASTING MACHINE,

Application filed April 14. 1910. Serial No.

To (ZZZ Whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Fimxcis B. Coxvnnsn. of the 'borou'gh of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in. Line Casting -i\iachincs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to a thermostatic mechanism controlling the flow of gas to a burner used for heating the melting pot of a line casting or analogous, machine. In this class of machines, such, for example, as the well known lvlergenthaler linotype machine, the body (it type metal in a pot must be maintained in amolten condition 'and'at a uniform temperature. W hen the heat is first applied to the pot containing the solid metal, it mustbe done gradually and by means of a small flame, as otherwise the small body of molten metal imprisoned between the bottom of the pot and-the solid metal above ovill by its expansion fracture the pot or find its Way, under the extreme pressure developed, through the pores of the cast'iron. After the melting of the metal has progressed to a certain point, it

is desirable to greatly increase the flame or the application of heat, in order to bring the body of the metal to the required temperature without loss of time. After the metal has reached the required temperature, it is necessary to modify the flow of gas from time to time as cold metal is added to the mass, or as the mass is reduced by consump tion, the object being to maintain a practically uniform temperature notwithstanding the change in conditions.

To this end my invention consists broadly in a mechanism controlled by the temperature of the metal in the pot, and acting auto" matically. to admit a reduced flow of gas to the burner when the pot is cold; when the pot is heated a gradually increased flow of gas; and later, when the metal. is fully melted a diminished flow, suliicient only to maintain the required temperature.

I believe it to be wholly new in theart to construct a thermostatic gas controlling device in such manner that an increase in thetemperature causes an increase in the flow of gas. It is also wholly new to construct a thermostatic device in such manner that the temperature advances it will permit first an increased flow of gas and thereafter a diminished flow,

Specification of Letters Patent.

iiratented Get. 7,

lVhile I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings a form of mechanism which is well adapted for use under ordinary conditions, it will be understood. by the skilled mechanic after aconsideration ol this specification that the details ot' the construction may be widely modified without changing the mode or principle of action, orpassing beyond the scope of my invention. Forpurposes of illustration I have shown my device in connection with the melting pot now used in commercial lllergenthaler machines, known to all persons skilled in the art.

Figure 1 is a. top plan view of a pot havin my gasgovernor applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a, vertical section of the same from front to rear, the governing device being shown in sideelevation. Fig. 3 is a vertical section throughthe governor, the parts in the position they occupy when the potis cold and when the Home is first started. Fig. f l is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 5 is a section through the valve mechanism on an enlarged scale, the parts in the position they occupy during the normal action of the machine. Fig. (3 is a vertical section through the valve, the parts in the position occupied when the pot is cold. at the beginning of operations. Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the valve in the position it occupies when the molten metal is at or slightly above the proper temperature. Fig. 8 is acentral vertical section of the parts seen in Fig. 7 and in the same position. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on the plane 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the ordinary meltinp pot of a ll'iergcnthalor line casting machine, B an ordinary Bunsen burner or burner located beneath the pot for the purpose of applying the flame thereto to melt the contained type metal, as usual, 0 is a pipe through which the gas is supplied to the governor, D is the governor, E is a pipe through which the gas is delivered from the overnor to the burner. The overnor, which consists mainly of an expanion loosely seated a long rod, d, of aluminum or equivalent material, connected to the tube at its lower end by a pin, 6. The. upper end of the rod carries a hard metal hearing piece, f, acting upward against a screw, 9, in one end of the lever 71 which is pivoted to the casting c at I", so that when the parts are subjected to an increased temperature within the pot, the rod (l, elongating faster than the tube (1, acts to throw the force of the free end of the lever 11, upward. v The casting c has its-upper portion enlarged and recessed in such manner as to form an upper chamber, j, into which the gas is delivered by the supply pipe C, and a lower chamber, in, from which the gas is delivered intothe pipe E, leading to the burner. The controlling'valves located between the upper and lower chambers are constructed in the manner shown in Figs. 3, 53. G and 7. A tubular valve seat, I, flanged at the upper end, is seated tightly within the casing or body 0 and is held down to its place by a spiral spring, m, confined in place by an overlying screw, n,threaded into the top of the chambr and closing the same. The removal of this screw permits the entire valve mechanism to be withdrawn at, the top.

"Vithin the valve seatlthere is a vertically reciprocating valve, 0, of cylindrical form, having near the opposite ends circumferential grooves. o and 0 connected by a passage, 0 passing vertically through the center of the valve; groove 0 connecting that passage 0 by a eross-passage o, and 0 connecting that passage 0 by a cross-passa'ge o. The proportions of this valve in relation to the length of the seat Z are such that it has the three following actions: 1. 'hen lowered to the position shown in Figs. 3 and (3, its upper end. will prevent the passage of j into the groove 0 2. When in an intermediate position. as shown in Figs. 5 and '7, it will permit the gas to flow from the upper chamber j into the groove 0 thence through the port 0 to the lower groove 0 intov the lower chamber Z. whence it passes to the burner. 3. When raised sul'liciently to carry its lower end'within the valve seat Z, its lower end will close the seat and prevent the escape of the gas, which has entered from above, into the lower chamber. The valve 0 is urged constantlv downward by a spiral spring, 1), and at the lower' end the valve. rests upon a thin diaphragm, s, closing the lower side of the chamber l1, and resting in turn upon a stud on the end of the lever h.

As will presently appear, the foregoing.

parts serve to deliver the gas in large quantity to the burner. and to diminish the flow when the temperature approaches the maximum limit. It is necessary, however, that gas from the upper chamberinto chamber and to the burner.

a minimum supply'of gas shall lie-furnished to the bu ner be ore the above parts begin their acti 11, while the pot is cold and the metal in'a solid state. To this end I provide the valve 0 from the upper end downward with a small port or opening, q, lead ing into the port-0". The port q is formed centrally in a screw nipple bearing that reference, this rendering the port removable and interchan able. \Vhen the valve stands in the initia position shown in Figs. 3 and 6. closing the upper end of the seat Z, a moderate supply of gas entering from the upper chamber through the small port 1 will continue downward through passage 0 to the lower move 0. thence downward This is the condition of the arts when the flame is first lighted, and w apply a moderate heat beneath the pot. As

ture and approaches or reaches a molten condition. the elongation of the rod d lifts the lever h, which in turn raises the diaphragm and the valve 0 until the latter assumes the position shown in Fig. 5, thus allowing the maximum flow of gas through the valve to the burner, causin a rapid increase in the temperature 0 the metal. lVhen the temperature of the metal reaches or exceeds the proper limit, the continued elongation of the rod lifts the valve 0 above its intermediate position, so that its lower end contracts the gas outlet, as shown. in Fi 7, permitting the passage of only a. sudicient amount of the gas to maintain the temperature at the required point. If, therefore, there is a failure to replenish the pot with metal as the contents are reduced by consumption, the flame will be diminished and excessive temperature prevented. If. on the other hand, cold metal is supplied to the pot and the temperature of the mass therein reduced, the rod contracts and the flame is instantly increased to maintain the temperature. If from any cause-an excessive temperature is momentarily reached, the flame is diminished to permit a fall in temperature.

As type metals differ in composition and in diffusion of temperature, the screw g is provided as a conui cnsating or adjusting device, between the actuating rod and lover, so that by turning the screw the governor may be adjusted to regulate the flow of gas ,and the temperature with due regard to the character of the metal being used. I

It will be observed that my governor has a triple or three stage action, delivering as it does first a small supply of gas, thereafter a largely increased supply, and finally and under normal conditions a medium supply, subject to a moderate variation as changes in temperature dennunl. It will be, of course, understood, that the rod (1 and its ien it is necessary to the body of the metal increases in temperacontrolling valve are new.

assessint-losing tube constitute a mechanical t-liermoslut. and that thov maybe replaced by an) equivalent tbernioslatic devices adapted to impart motion to a heat-controlling clevice, such as the valve clescribetl.

As is Well understood in the art that reason not illustrated, I may ment the burner B shown herein by small pilot burner supplied by gas or otbei fuel from any source vil'iatsoever, for maintaining sui'iicient. flame at the burner to cause it to relight if by possi lity, such and for supplethe excessive elevation of valve it tens space between valve, and seat through which gets 8r other fuel Ol llGfll.-II11' means flowsv into the groove; and this space. which is marked c, max) be COllSldQlQCl as a variable lnlet port. lnlzewise as to groove if, there is a space. marked to. which is variable outlet port. The actuation of the valve varies ports '1' and 10, While port q is constant. These features in an automatic heat- .ln a sense the terms inlet anti outlet as just usetl are relative anal interchangeable; for, since there are no back-pressure valves shown. the port areas alone determine flow. so that the gas ooultl obviously be reversed in clirection. the pipe E coming from amain ancl the pipe C leading to the burner; and such a reversal is intended to be coverecl herein. initially the constant inlet port 0' and variable outlet w open, and a convenient predeterniinetl minimum gas flow enables the burner to be slartecl with a small heating effect. As the Wi e inetalheats up the variable inlet 1'1 in time opens thus supplementing; the gas supply aiul increasing: the heat. ll lien the full niieration is reachetl and the metal temperature is at apredetermined normal high temperature, differing with different metals aml in no case a fixevl or exact temperature but one having some latitude. then. this is uniformly maintaineti by; or through the variations in the degree of closure the outlet valve port 41). the inlet n being Wide open. Excess temperature further closes e0 thus causing a reversal of the valves previous actioz...

Gas, it will be understootl, is only the {are ton-eel example of sources of heat that could be employed in my flfiVl(l6.-Ei be ng-only essont -i' that an increased or van: ins action t-f ,.tie.;heating means is gi-"otlncible controllable by a thermostat. and the valve is only the preferred form of lieutwroutrolling (ls-vice therefor.

Having thus l'lthll'l ltll lll invention. \vbui, l claim is:

l. in combinatimi. lbo seutl. the izlliv 0 sliding within Sillil seat and mlapt'otl to n-- (lpl'v'u'ulit longitudinally therein. sablwalvo being fox-11ml \vllli lrwuuifevvutlal grooves 0". 0 each adapted to be closed or opened according: to the relation botvvoou the valve and seat. arul s, i l valv" also having: the longitudinal central mu; 9 connecting the grooves 0 anvl o". aml a thermostat tor lou gitutliuallv moving the valve.

2. in combination. the seat the valve sliding; vvitbin Sillll seat and adapted to reci 'irocate longitudinally therein. Salvl valve being foruml vvilb rim-umtereutlal grooves o and 0. each adapted to be closwl or opened atrortlingl' to the relation between the valve and seat, aiul sanl valve also having the longitudinal ventral passage connecting the grooves 0 antl 0 and a thermostat For longitlulinall v moving the valve. said central passage extending: to the gas supply' eml of the valve for lHlllHltlnQ' a constant initial gas suppiv.

3. in a l uol mm. a valve vlovice coinprising a seat or throat I antl a valve 0 valve having inlet port or groove 0 and cutie po or groove o near its opposite ends respeollvelv. witha passage connecting said inlet llllll outlet, anal aniulet at one end of saitl valve sulvl inlet q also connected to the inlet 0 a (l outlet 0 and for reciprocatin said valve.

trolling valve having a variable outlet port (as w). a variable. inlet port (as '1'). lll'Nl a -oonstant inlet poi-t (as 1 sai l valve adapt: evl' initial-iv to have said outlet and constant inlet open. and adapted when in full operation at guetleterlninetl high temperature to uniformly maintain such ten'iperature by the iable degree of closure of said outlet vviiile the variable inlet is wide ()DQIL 5, A tlie'rmostaticuilly-acttuitetl heat-con.- trollinp; valve having a variable outlet port (as a), variable inletport (as '1). and

a constant inlet port (as .7), said valve adaptetl initially to have said lontlet and tlierp ostati vallv aetuatetl heat-0on1 thermostat t0 maintain proper temperature, said valve device comprising a seat, a movable valve in sliding Contact Within said seat, a fuel supply chamber to one side of the valve and delivery chamber to the other side, said valve provided with a flange adapt ed to vary the fuel flow from supply to de livery chamber, and. provided with internal passages for conducting fuel from supply to delivery chamber when said flange is' 10 closed.

1111 testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of February, 1910, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

FRANCIS B. CONVERSE. \Vitnesses Jenn R. Roe'nns, LUCY E. SMITH. 

